Agitator for washing machines



Nov. 18, 1930. M. E. BLOCK 1,781,774

AGITATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed Feb. 20. 1928 HUN 1 FIT- INVENTEJE.

Eli 7 7, 9. [3&W

: WW W T'I'DRNEYS Patented Nov.., 18 1930 UNITED STATES MEYER E. BLOCK, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS AGITATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Application filed February 21 1928. Serial No. 255,791.

This invention relates to washing. machines and more particularly to an agitator type of washing machine, in which a waterimpelling member-is disposed adjacent the bottom of the tub in a manner to impel the water outwardly, said agitator member being placed in the hopper portion formed in the bottom of the tub, the wings of the agitator member projecting laterally in a manner to prevent the possible entry of clothes beneath the agitator.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following specification, taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in

is which Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, showing the detail structure and arrangement of the agitator in a tub portion;

- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken on 2 the line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view from above, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Before referring to the drawings, it might be stated that the present applicant, in the development of his agitator type of washing machine, has found that the articular mannor of forming thefwing portions on the agitator member varied the result obtained by the washing machine considerably and in such development work, finally decided upon an agitator construction which absolutely prevented the entry of material being washed beneath the agitator by actually forcing said portions away from the agitator. i

Referring to the drawings, a tub portion is shown at 10, and may be of any shape desired, either round, rectangular, or plural sided as the case may be. This tub 10 has a hopper portion 11 formed in the bottom of the tub, a portion thereof being formed by depressing a part of the tub 10, and the entire bottom being completed by means of a casting or pressed metal portion 12, which is adapted to be welded to the hopper portion 11, or attached in any other suitable" manner at the point 13. 'This intermediate center fportion 12 completes the hopper por tion 0 the tub previously referred to, the

5 same being of suflicient strength to support,

by means of downwardly projecting lugs 14, driving mechanism to be described later.

The member 12 has an intermediate column 15, secured thereto in a water-tight manner, said column 15 extending vertically to a point above the normal Water level in the tub 10. Within this column is disposed a vertical drive shaft 16, having its lower end projecting through the bottom center of the tub and being adapted to be supported and driven by driving mechanism later to be described.

The upper end of the vertical drive shaft has pinned thereto, as at 17, a rectangular lug 18, there being provided a bearing support 19 for the upper end of the drive shaft adjacent the upper end of the column 15. The water-agitating member which is adapted to eventually propel the water by reciprocation within the tub, comprises a disk member 20, lying at, least partially within the hopper portion formed within the bottom of the tub, the bottom of said disk being curved in such manner that the outer edges 21 of the disk lie closely adjacent the edges 22 of the tub 10, thus providing a very small entrance way beneath the agitator for clothes that are being washed or extraneous matter, such as dirt, lint and the like.

The disk 20 has a sleeve member 23 secured thereto and rising vertically therefrom in a manner to completely surround the column 15, said sleeve terminating at its upper end in a rounded hub portion 24, having its innersurface fashioned in a rectangular manner in order to receive the before mentioned lug 18.

The connection between hub 24 and lug 18 permits removal of the water agitating memher by simple vertical lift.

The disk 20 has upstanding therefrom in vertical manner a plurality of Water-agitating blades 25. These blades are of sufficient height that when reciprocated in the tub, they create a violent water, as well as water-washing action.' 4

It will be noticed that these blades merge, as at 26, in the disk 20, said blades, however,

projecting) laterally, as at 27, a substantial distance eyond the small opening which The vertical drive shaft 16'has pinned thereto, as at 28, a driven gear 29, the washer 30 being disposed between the gear and the lower projecting end of the portion 12.v Securelybolted as at 31 to the member 12, is a driving mechanism support 32, the same being fashioned to form a bearing seat 33 for the before mentioned driving gear 29. Means for oscillating the driven gear is provided in a segment gear 33*, pivoted as at 34 in the support 32 at a point adjacent the driven gear. Means for oscillatingthe segment 33 to accomplish movement of the driven gear, and therefore reciprocal movement of the agitator within the tub is accomplished by means of a pitman 35 pivoted to the segment gear as at 36.

In view of the fact that the art relating to driving mechanism for washing machines is so well known, the remaining connections between the pitman and the electric motor, almost universally used in the drive for washing machines of the present type, has been omitted. It is apparent that movement of the pitman transmitted through the series of gears connected with the electric motor, accomplishes the desired reciprocation of the driven gear, and hence the agitator within the washing machine.

Applicant makes no claim for either the driving mechanism herein shown or the general arrangement of the agitator therein, but directs attention specifically to the formation of the agitator member and the bladed portions thereof for preventing the entry of clothes or extraneous matter beneath the agitator.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a washing machine tub having a depressed bottom portion, a water agitator comprising a. central vertical stem portion, a vertical drive shaft projecting through the bottom center of the tub and support ng the vertical stem, a disk portion mergmg into said vertical stem and being disposed in the depressed portion of the tub and plural blade members upstanding from the face of said disk, said blades having a portion of their water agitating surface rojecting a substantial distance beyond t e adjacent ridges of the disk and the depressed tub por- 2. In combination with a washing machine .with the outer fiat portion of the tub bottom,

and vertical blades integral'with said disk and projecting beyond the edges of the disk a substantial distance.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

' MEYER E. BLOCK. 

